1000 unclaimed vehicles are parked at Hambantota Port.

According to Sri Lanka Customs Department sources, nearly a thousand luxury motor vehicles imported into the country by importers have been abandoned within the Hambantota Port premises without being cleared, due to the exorbitant demurrage charges imposed. It is also reported that a large number of these vehicles are already deteriorating and decaying due to being parked idly for such a long period.

Currently, nearly 40,000 vehicles are parked at Hambantota Port, the majority of which were either brought for re-export or temporarily offloaded due to being unable to be sent to foreign destinations, including Dubai, amidst wartime conditions. All these vehicles, including those that arrived in Hambantota for re-export, are also facing the same unfair demurrage charges crisis.

A local importer who imported a luxury motor vehicle worth approximately 20 million rupees about six years ago was recently charged nearly 50 million rupees in demurrage when attempting to clear it from the port. Consequently, the total cost of the vehicle has escalated to 70 million rupees, which is nearly three times its original value. The importer, greatly astonished upon learning about the exorbitant demurrage charge, informed Customs about it and completely abandoned clearing the vehicle due to the massive cost.

A customs official stated that such a serious situation has arisen after the administrative operations of Hambantota Port came under a Chinese company. A large number of vehicles facing similar predicaments are parked at the port, and many importers have abandoned their vehicles due to being unable to bear the relevant taxes, causing them to deteriorate.

When questioned about this, Mr. Chandana Punchihewa, Media Spokesperson and Director of the Customs Department, stated that the Customs Department is fully aware of this situation and is currently holding discussions with the Hambantota Port administration to resolve the issue. He further explained that although the motor vehicle involved in the incident was imported before the Chinese company took over port control, the exorbitant amount accumulated due to daily accruing demurrage charges.